U.S. patent application number 14/203161 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for lowering the sheet resistance of a conductive layer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Ehsan Farkhondeh, Steven J. Martisauskas, Romain A. Teil, Joshua G. Wurzel.
Application Number | 20140262466 14/203161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50478559 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140262466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farkhondeh; Ehsan ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
Lowering the Sheet Resistance of a Conductive Layer
Abstract
An electronic device can include a substrate and a conductive
layer. The conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion
of the substrate and a patterned conductive material can be
disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer.
Alternatively, the patterned conductive layer can be disposed over
at least a portion of a surface of the substrate and the conductive
layer can be disposed over a portion of the surface of the
substrate and in between the patterned conductive material. The
conductive layer can be disposed over at least a portion of the
patterned conductive material. The patterned conductive material
can have a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of the
conductive layer.
Inventors: |
Farkhondeh; Ehsan;
(Synnyvale, CA) ; Wurzel; Joshua G.; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Teil; Romain A.; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Martisauskas; Steven J.; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Apple Inc.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
50478559 |
Appl. No.: |
14/203161 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61778019 |
Mar 12, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/261 ;
427/97.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 3/108 20130101;
H05K 3/22 20130101; H05K 1/11 20130101; G02F 1/13452 20130101; G02F
1/1343 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/261 ;
427/97.3 |
International
Class: |
H05K 1/11 20060101
H05K001/11; H05K 3/22 20060101 H05K003/22; H05K 3/10 20060101
H05K003/10 |
Claims
1. A display stack comprising: a substrate; a first conductive
contact positioned below the substrate; a first conductive layer
positioned below the substrate, the first conductive layer
electrically connected to the first conductive contact; a second
conductive contact positioned above the substrate; and a conductive
material disposed over at least a portion of the first conductive
contact and the second conductive contact.
2. The display stack of claim 1, wherein the conductive material
electrically connects the first conductive contact and the second
conductive contact.
3. The display stack of claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer
is disposed over a portion of the first conductive contact.
4. The display stack of claim 1, further comprising a second
conductive layer positioned above the substrate and adjacent the
second conductive contact, the second conductive layer electrically
connected to the second conductive contact.
5. The display stack of claim 4, further comprising an electrical
connector electrically connecting the second conductive layer to
the second conductive contact.
6. The display stack of claim 5, wherein the conductive material
electrically connects the first conductive layer and the second
conductive layer via the first conductive contact and the second
conductive contact, respectively.
7. The display stack of claim 1, wherein the conductive material is
disposed over a portion of the substrate.
8. An electronic device comprising: a substrate; a conductive layer
disposed over at least a portion of the substrate; a patterned
conductive material disposed over one of: at least a portion of the
conductive layer, or at least a portion of the substrate, wherein
the conductive layer is disposed over the patterned conductive
material disposed over the substrate; a first conductive contact
positioned below the substrate; a second conductive contact
positioned above the substrate; and a conductive material disposed
over at least a portion of the first conductive contact and the
second conductive contact.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising an
electrical connector electrically connecting the first conductive
layer to the first conductive contact.
10. The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising an
electrical connector electrically connecting the patterned
conductive material disposed over at least a portion of the
substrate to the first conductive contact.
11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the patterned
conductive material includes a resistivity that is lower than a
resistivity of the conductive layer.
12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the patterned
conductive layer is disposed over at least a portion of a perimeter
of the conductive layer.
13. The electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a layer
disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer and at
least a portion of the patterned conductive material disposed over
the conductive layer.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising a third
conductive contact positioned below the substrate, wherein the
third conductive contact electrically connected to the layer
disposed over at least the portion of the conductive layer and at
least the portion of the patterned conductive material disposed
over the conductive layer.
15. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the patterned
conductive material is fragmented.
16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the conductive layer
is disposed around the fragmented patterned conductive material
disposed over at least the portion of the substrate.
17. A method forming an electrical connection in an electronic
device, the method comprising: determining if at least one mask is
applied to at least one of: at least a portion of a substrate, or
at least one layer of an electrical connection; determining if an
insulating material is initially applied to at least one of: at
least the portion of the substrate, or at least one layer of the
electrical connection; in response to determining the insulating
material is applied, forming an insulating material over at least
one of: at least the portion of the substrate, or at least one
layer of the electrical connection; and in response to determining
the insulating material is not applied, forming at least one
distinct layer of the electrical connection; and determining if the
insulating material is subsequently applied to at least one of: at
least the portion of the substrate, or the at least one distinct
layer of the electrical connection.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the forming of the at least one
distinct layer of the electrical connection further comprises at
least one of: disposing a conductive layer over at least a portion
of the substrate; disposing a patterned conductive material over
one of: at least a portion of the conductive layer, or at least a
portion of the substrate, wherein the conductive layer is disposed
over the patterned conductive material disposed over the substrate;
disposing a first conductive contact below the substrate; disposing
a second conductive contact above the substrate; and disposing a
conductive material over at least a portion of the first conductive
contact and the second conductive contact.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the disposing of the patterned
conductive material further comprises lowering a sheet resistance
of the conductive layer, wherein the patterned conductive material
includes a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of the
conductive layer.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: removing the at
least one mask subsequent to at least one of: the forming of the
insulating material over at least one of: at least the portion of
the substrate, or at least one layer of the electrical connection,
or the forming of the at least one distinct layer of the electrical
connection.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic
devices, and more specifically to electrical connections in
electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic devices, such as smartphones and computers,
include devices formed with one or more substrates or layers. For
example, a display in a smartphone can include a display stack
formed with multiple layers. The layers can include a cover glass,
a polarizer, a conductive layer, a color filter, and a display
layer. Conductive contacts, such as, for example, contact pads can
be used to transmit electrical signals to and from various
components on a layer or to a layer itself.
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical connection between
conductive contacts on two substrates. A conductive contact 100 is
disposed over the front surface of a substrate 102 and another
conductive contact 104 is disposed over a back surface of another
substrate 106, although in some situations the contacts may be
disposed over the front and back of the same substrate. A flexible
cable 108 is used to form an electrical connection between the
conductive contacts 100, 104. The flexible cable has a bend radius
that limits how sharp the bend in the flexible cable 108 can be
between the two conductive contacts 100, 104. Due at least in part
to its bend radius, the flexible cable can consume considerable
area in an electronic device. The amount of area consumed by the
flexible cable can be an issue when the size of the electronic
device is small.
[0004] Additionally, the bend in the flexible cable can produce
cracks in one or more conductive traces included in the flexible
cable. The cracks can be created when the flexible cable is first
bent or the cracks can develop over time. Either way, the cracks in
the conductive traces can prevent electrical signals from being
transmitted through the entire length of the flexible cable, which
can render the electronic device inoperable.
[0005] In some embodiments, a conductive layer can be electrically
connected to one of the conductive contacts (e.g., 104) and a
signal transmitted to the conductive layer using the conductive
contact. The sheet resistance of the conductive layer, however, can
cause the signal to be non-uniform across the surface of the
conductive layer. This non-uniformity can adversely affect the
performance of the electronic device. For example, if the
conductive layer is connected to ground for electrostatic discharge
(ESD) protection, the ESD protection may be ineffective due to the
non-uniformity of the ground signal across the conductive
layer.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, an electronic device can include a conductive
layer disposed over at least a portion of a surface of a substrate.
A patterned conductive material can be disposed over at least a
portion of the conductive layer. The patterned conductive material
can have a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of the
conductive layer.
[0007] In another aspect, an electronic device can include a
patterned conductive material disposed over at least a portion of a
surface of a substrate. A conductive layer can be disposed over at
least a portion of the surface of the substrate and between the
patterned conductive layer. The conductive layer may also be
disposed over at least a portion of the patterned conductive
material. The conductive layer can have a resistivity that is
higher than a resistivity of the patterned conductive material.
[0008] In another aspect, an electronic device can include a
conductive layer disposed over at least a portion of a surface of a
substrate. A patterned conductive material can be disposed over at
least a portion of the conductive layer. The patterned conductive
material can have a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of
the conductive layer. A layer can be disposed over at least a
portion of the conductive layer and at least a portion of the
patterned conductive material. A conductive contact can be disposed
over the surface of the substrate. A conductive material can
electrically connect the conductive contact to the layer disposed
over the conductive layer.
[0009] In another aspect, an electronic device can include a
conductive layer disposed over at least a portion of a surface of a
substrate. A patterned conductive material can be disposed over at
least a portion of the conductive layer. The patterned conductive
material can have a resistivity that is lower than a resistivity of
the conductive layer. A layer can be disposed over at least a
portion of the conductive layer and at least a portion of the
patterned conductive material. An electrical connector can
electrically connect the conductive layer to the layer disposed
over the conductive layer.
[0010] In an additional aspect, a display stack may include a
substrate, a first conductive contact positioned below the
substrate and a first conductive layer positioned below the
substrate. The first conductive layer may be electrically connected
to the first conductive contact. The display stack may also include
a second conductive contact positioned above the substrate, and a
conductive material disposed over at least a portion of the first
conductive contact and the second conductive contact.
[0011] In a further aspect, an electronic device may include a
substrate, a conductive layer disposed over at least a portion of
the substrate, and a patterned conductive material. The patterned
conductive material may be disposed over one of: at least a portion
of the conductive layer, or at least a portion of the substrate.
Where the patterned conductive material is disposed over a portion
of the substrate, the conductive layer is disposed over the
patterned conductive material. The electronic device may also
include a first conductive contact positioned below the substrate,
a second conductive contact positioned above the substrate, and a
conductive material disposed over at least a portion of the first
conductive contact and the second conductive contact.
[0012] In another aspect, a method for forming an electrical
connection in an electronic device may include determining if at
least one mask is applied to at least one of: at least a portion of
a substrate, or at least one layer of an electrical connection. The
method may also include determining if an insulating material is
initially applied to at least one of: at least the portion of the
substrate, or at least one layer of the electrical connection. In
the method, in response to determining the insulating material is
applied, an insulating material may be formed over at least one of:
at least the portion of the substrate, or at least one layer of the
electrical connection. Alternatively, in response to determining
the insulating material is not applied, at least one distinct layer
of the electrical connection may be formed. The method of
additionally include determining if the insulating material is
subsequently applied to at least one of: at least the portion of
the substrate, or the at least one distinct layer of the electrical
connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Embodiments are better understood with reference to the
following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not
necessarily to scale relative to each other. Identical reference
numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical
features that are common to the figures.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical connection between
conductive contacts on two substrates in accordance with the prior
art;
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2C depict perspective views of examples of
electronic devices in an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified, schematic cross-section
view of the display taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2B in an
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the display layer shown in FIG.
3 and one example of an electrical connection to the electrical
contact in an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view of the substrate and
electrical connection taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts an example of a substrate with conductive
contacts on different surfaces in an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of another example
of electrical connections in an embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 8 depicts a top view of the electrical connections
shown in FIG. 7 in an embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of an example of conductive
contacts on a substrate in an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section view of an example of
electrical connections taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 in an
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section view of another example
of electrical connections taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 9 in an
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 12 depicts a top view of an example of conductive
contacts on a substrate in an embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section view of an example of
electrical connections taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12 in an
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 14 depicts a top view of a substrate and electrical
connections in an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates one example of patterned conductive
material over a conductive layer in an embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 16 depicts another example of patterned conductive
material over a conductive layer in an embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 17 illustrates another example of patterned conductive
material over a conductive layer in an embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 18 depicts one example of a conductive layer with
patterned conductive material in an embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-section view of one example of
electrical connections to the conductive layer of FIG. 18 in an
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 20 depicts a cross-section view of another example of
electrical connections to the conductive layer of FIG. 18 in an
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 21 illustrates one example of the substrate and the
conductive layer shown in FIG. 19 connected to another layer in an
embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of one example of a method for
forming an electrical connection or patterned conductive material
over a layer or a substrate in an embodiment; and
[0036] FIGS. 23-25 depict examples of a ground connection for the
embodiment shown in FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Embodiments described herein may provide an electrical
connection between conductive contacts disposed over two different
surfaces of a single substrate or on two or more substrates. As one
example, first and second conductive contacts may be located on
opposite sides of a substrate and connected to one another, in full
or in part, by a conductive material. A conductive material may be
disposed over at least portions of the conductive contacts to
electrically connect the conductive contacts. In some embodiments,
the conductive material also overlies, contacts, or is otherwise
adjacent to an intervening edge of the substrate between the two
contacts. The conductive material may be formed from metal, a
conductive polymer, a mesh or nanowire, a ceramic, an impregnated
resin and the like. The conductive contacts can be used to transmit
a signal or signals to components disposed over or in a substrate,
to conductive layers disposed over different surfaces of a single
substrate, or to conductive layers disposed over two or more
substrates.
[0038] In another embodiment, a signal can be transmitted over the
conductive layer using patterned conductive material disposed over
the substrate and/or over the conductive layer. The patterned
conductive material can be used to lower the sheet resistance of
the conductive layer to improve signal transmission across the
surface of a conductive layer. Additionally or alternatively, the
patterned conductive material can be used to protect a
touch-sensing circuit, element, or array of elements from noise
generated by an electronic device that incorporates the
touch-sensing technology. The patterned conductive material can act
as a ground plane, shielding a touch-sensing circuit, element, or
array of elements from parasitic capacitances that may arise when a
metal housing of an electronic device incorporating the
touch-sensing element(s) deforms.
[0039] In another embodiment, a layer can be connected to a
reference voltage or signal to prevent or reduce noise or other
signal processing issues. For example, a back polarizer in a
display stack can be connected to a reference level, such as
ground, and used, in part, to protect the display stack or
electronic device from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Embodiments
described herein provide various method and structures for
connecting the layer to the reference voltage.
[0040] Directional terminology, such as "top", "bottom", "front",
"back", "leading", "trailing", etc., is used with reference to the
orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of
embodiments described herein can be positioned in a number of
different orientations, the directional terminology is used for
purposes of illustration only and is in no way limiting. When used
in conjunction with a substrate, a layer, substrates, or layers in
an electrical device, such as the layers in a display stack
included in an electronic device, the directional terminology is
intended to be construed broadly, and therefore should not be
interpreted to preclude the presence of one or more intervening
layers or other intervening device features or elements. Thus, a
given substrate or layer that is described herein as being formed
on, formed over, disposed over, or disposed over another layer may
be separated from the latter layer by one or more additional
layers.
[0041] Further, the term "electronic device" is to be understood as
any type of electronic device, including, but not limited to, a
cellular telephone or smart telephone, a tablet computer, a
computing device, an integrated circuit, and a printed circuit
board or boards.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, there are shown front
perspective views of examples of electronic devices. As shown in
FIG. 2A, the electronic device 200 can be a laptop or netbook
computer that includes a display 202 and a touch device 204, shown
in the illustrated embodiment as a trackpad. An enclosure 206 can
form an outer surface or partial outer surface and protective case
for the internal components of the electronic device 200, and may
at least partially surround the display 202 and the trackpad 204.
The enclosure 206 can be formed of one or more components operably
connected together, such as a front piece and a back piece.
[0043] The display 202 is configured to display a visual output for
the electronic device 200. The display can be implemented with any
suitable display, including, but not limited to, a liquid crystal
display (LCD), an organic light-emitting display (OLED), or organic
electro-luminescence (OEL) display.
[0044] The trackpad 204 can be used to interact with one or more
viewable objects on the display 202. For example, the trackpad 204
can be used to move a cursor or to select a file or program (e.g.,
represented by an icon) shown on the display. The trackpad 204 can
use capacitive sensing to detect an object, such as a finger or a
conductive stylus, near or on the surface of the trackpad 204. The
trackpad 204 can include a capacitive sensing system that detects
touch through capacitive changes at capacitive sensors.
Additionally or alternatively, the same or another capacitive
sensing system can be used to detect an amount of force applied to
the trackpad using capacitive changes.
[0045] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of another electronic
device, a smart telephone 209 that includes an enclosure 210
surrounding a display 212 and one or more buttons 214 or input
devices. The enclosure 210 can be similar to the enclosure
described in conjunction with FIG. 2A, but may vary in form factor
and function.
[0046] The display 212 can be implemented with any suitable
display, including, but not limited to, a multi-touch capacitive
sensing touchscreen (i.e., a touch device) that uses liquid crystal
display (LCD) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED)
technology, or organic electro luminescence (OEL) technology. A
capacitive sensing touchscreen device can detect a touch or force
using capacitive changes at capacitive sensors.
[0047] The button 214 can take the form of a home button, which may
be a mechanical button, a soft button (e.g., a button that does not
physically move but still accepts inputs), an icon or image on a
display, and so on. Further, in some embodiments, the button 214
can be integrated as part of a cover glass of the electronic
device.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 2C, there is shown a front perspective
view of another electronic device. In the illustrated embodiment,
the electronic device 216 is a tablet computer that can include a
display 218, an enclosure 220, and one or more buttons 222 or input
devices. The enclosure, display, and the one or more buttons 222
can be similar to the enclosure, display, and button described in
conjunction with FIG. 2B, but may vary in form factor and
function.
[0049] The electronic device 216 can also include one or more
receiving ports 224. A receiving port 224 can receive one or more
plugs or connectors, including, but not limited to, a universal
serial bus cable, a tip ring sleeve connector, or the like.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of the display taken
along line 3-3 in FIG. 2B in an embodiment. The layers of the
display stack 300 can include the layers that constitute the
display 204. For example, a top layer in the display stack 300 can
be a cover glass (not shown) that is disposed over a front
polarizer 304. The front polarizer 304 is disposed over a front
transparent conductive layer 306, such as, for example, an ITO
layer. The front transparent conductive layer 306 may, for example,
provide electrostatic protection to prevent electrical discharge
into the display.
[0051] The front transparent conductive layer 306 is disposed over
a color filter layer 308 that is disposed over a display layer 310.
The display layer 310 may take a variety of forms, including a LCD,
an LED display, and an OLED display. In many embodiments, the
display layer may be formed from glass or have a glass
substrate.
[0052] A back transparent conductive layer 312 is below the display
layer 310. The back transparent conductive layer 312 is disposed
over a back polarizer 314. The back transparent conductive layer
312 may serve to prevent noise from entering the system through the
display stack and thus may function as an isolation plane. In
alternative embodiments, one or both of the conductive layers may
have other functions and/or other layers, elements, and the like
may be part of the display stack 300.
[0053] Since certain layers, elements or the like located on one or
both sides of the display layer 310 may require an electrical
signal (or the same electrical signal), it may be useful to place
electrical contacts in close proximity to one another but on
opposing sides of a substrate. In order to do so, front and back
conductive contacts 316, 318 may be provided.
[0054] A front conductive contact 316 is disposed over a front
surface of the display layer 310 and a back conductive contact 318
is disposed over an opposing back surface of the display layer 310.
The conductive contacts 316, 318 can be implemented with any
suitable conductive material and formation, including, but not
limited to, contact pads, flexible cable connectors, and conductive
traces.
[0055] An electrical connector 320 may electrically connect the
front transparent conductive layer 306 to the front conductive
contact 316. The back transparent conductive layer 312 may be
electrically connected to the back conductive contact 318 in the
illustrated embodiment using any given type of electrical
connection. For example, the conductive layer 312 may be disposed
over a portion of the back conductive contact 318 or an electrical
connector (not shown) similar to the electrical connector 320 can
connect the back transparent conductive layer to the back
conductive contact.
[0056] Embodiments described herein may provide structures and
methods for electrically connecting the back conductive contact 318
to the front conductive contact 316, thereby allowing a signal or
signals to be transmitted to or from the back conductive contact
318 using the front conductive contact 316. In the illustrated
embodiment, a signal or signals transmitted to the front conductive
contact 316 can be transmitted to the front and back transparent
conductive layers 306, 312 because the front conductive layer 306
is electrically connected to the front conductive contact 316 using
electrical connector 320 and the back conductive contact 318 is
electrically connected to the front conductive contact 316 using
the techniques and methods described in more detail herein. It
should be appreciated that the front and back conductive contacts
316, 318 may likewise provide electrical connections to additional
layers or elements of the electronic device, or may provide such
connections instead of providing connections to either of the
conductive layers 306, 312.
[0057] Those skilled in the art will recognize that other
components or devices can be disposed over the display layer 310.
By way of example only, one or more integrated circuits (not shown)
can be disposed over the display layer 310. In some embodiments,
the other components, including the conductive contacts, can be
disposed in an area on the display layer 310 that extends into a
region that is not visible by a user viewing the display of the
electronic device. For example, when the electronic device is a
smartphone or a tablet computing device, the other components and
the conductive contacts are disposed over the display layer in an
area that is covered by a black mask.
[0058] The front and back polarizers 304, 314 can be implemented in
any suitable form and can include polarizers that are known and
used in the art. Additionally, the color filter layer 308 can be
implemented in any suitable form and can include a color filter
layer that is known and used in the art.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a top view of the
display layer 310 shown in FIG. 3 and one example of an electrical
connection to the front conductive contact 316 in an embodiment.
Display layer 310 includes the front conductive contact 316, a
flexible cable connector 400, and one or more integrated circuits
402. A conductive material 404 is disposed over at least a portion
of the front conductive contact 316. The conductive material 404
can be implemented with any suitable conductive material or
combination of materials, including, but not limited to, metal,
silver nanowire, and conductive nanoparticles.
[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view of the display layer
310 and the electrical connection taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
The front polarizer 304 and the back polarizer 314 are not shown
for simplicity. The conductive material 404 is disposed over at
least a portion of the front surface 500 of the front conductive
contact 316 and the back surface 502 of the back conductive contact
318. The conductive material 404 can also be disposed over the
surfaces 504 between the front and back surfaces 500, 502 of the
front and back conductive contacts 316, 318.
[0061] The surfaces of the conductive contacts in which the
conductive material is disposed over are called contact surfaces.
When the conductive material 404 is disposed over the front surface
500 of the front conductive contact 316 and the back surface 502 of
the back conductive contact 318, an electrical connection is
formed. Some of the contact surfaces (i.e., 500, 502) are oriented
in opposite directions and the other contact surfaces are oriented
in the same direction. In other embodiments, all or some of the
contact surfaces can be oriented in the same directions or in
different (opposite and non-opposite) directions. FIG. 6 depicts an
example of a substrate 600 with two conductive contacts 602, 604 on
different surfaces. The conductive material 606 is disposed over
multiple contact surfaces with all of the contact surfaces of the
conductive contacts oriented in different directions.
[0062] Returning to FIG. 5, since the back transparent conductive
layer 312 is electrically connected to the back conductive contact
318, the back transparent conductive layer 312 is also electrically
connected to the front conductive contact 316 through the
conductive material 404. A signal can be transmitted to or from the
back transparent conductive layer 312 using the front conductive
contact 316, the conductive material 404, and the back conductive
contact 318. For example, an unused existing electrical connection
to front conductive contact 316 can be used to transmit a signal to
the back transparent conductive layer 312 using conductive material
404 and back conductive contact 318. Alternatively, a new
electrical connection to the front conductive contact 316 can be
added to the device and used to transmit a signal to or from the
back transparent conductive layer 312 using conductive material 404
and back conductive contact 318.
[0063] The conductive material 404 can be configured or shaped into
any desired shape or thickness. For example, the conductive
material 404 can be formed at a thickness or a shape that results
in the conductive material consuming less area in an electronic
device compared to a conventional flexible cable connection (see
e.g., 108 in FIG. 1). Flexible cables may come in different
thicknesses and widths, but flexible cables are substantially fixed
in a shape and limited in part by a bend radius when connected to
the conductive contacts.
[0064] Although the embodiment described in conjunction with FIGS.
3-6 describes a display layer and a back transparent conductive
layer, other embodiments are not limited to this construction. Any
type of substrate, such as glass, plastic, printed circuit board,
or flexible cable, can be used in place of the display layer and
the back transparent conductive layer. Various embodiments can
include an electrical connection between two conductive contacts on
a single substrate or an electrical connection between two
conductive contacts on different substrates. The contact surfaces
of the conductive contacts can be oriented in different directions
or in the same direction. The different directions can assume any
difference in direction. By way of example only, the different
directions can be opposite (180 degrees), at an acute angle with
respect to each other, or at an obtuse or reflex angle with respect
to each other.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-section view
of another example of electrical connections in an embodiment. FIG.
8 depicts a top view of the electrical connections shown in FIG. 7.
The conductive material 404 is disposed over at least a portion of
the front conductive contact 316 and the back conductive contact
318 and, optionally, the surfaces between the conductive contacts.
A first flexible cable connector 700 (FIG. 7) is disposed over the
front surface of a substrate 702 and a second flexible cable 704 is
connected to the first cable connector 700. The substrate 702 can
be made of any suitable material or combination of materials
including, but not limited to, glass, plastic, and flexible cable.
The flexible cable 704 can be implemented with any suitable
flexible cable, including, but not limited to, ribbon cable,
flexible flat cable, flat panel cable, and flexible printed
circuit. In other embodiments, the flexible cable 704 can be
connected to the front conductive contact 316.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a top view of an
example of conductive contacts on a substrate in an embodiment. The
substrate 900 can be made of any suitable material or combination
of materials including, but not limited to, glass, plastic, and
flexible cable. Conductive contacts 902, 904, 906, 908 are disposed
over the front surface 910 of the substrate 900.
[0067] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section view of an example of
electrical connections along line 10-10 for the embodiment shown in
FIG. 9. Conductive material 1000 electrically connects the
conductive contact 902 on the front surface 910 of the substrate
900 to a conductive contact 1002 on a back surface 1004 of the
substrate 900. Insulating material 1006 surrounds the conductive
material 1000 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 902, 1002.
[0068] Conductive material 1008 electrically connects the
conductive contact 904 on the front surface 910 of the substrate
900 to a conductive contact 1010 on the back surface 1004 of the
substrate 900. Insulating material 1012 surrounds the conductive
material 1008 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 904, 1010.
[0069] Conductive material 1014 electrically connects the
conductive contact 906 on the front surface 910 of the substrate
900 to a conductive contact 1016 on the back surface 1004 of the
substrate 900. Insulating material 1018 surrounds the conductive
material 1014 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 906, 1016.
[0070] Conductive material 1020 electrically connects the
conductive contact 908 on the front surface 910 of the substrate
900 to a conductive contact 1022 on the back surface 1004 of the
substrate 900. Insulating material 1024 surrounds the conductive
material 1020 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 908, 1022. Outer
insulating material 1024 is optional and is not included in some
embodiments. For example, a device can omit the outer insulating
material 1024 when the electrical connection between front and back
conductive contacts 908, 1022 is connected to ground for
electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection.
[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive material 1000,
1008, 1014, 1020 extends partially over the conductive contacts. In
other embodiments, the conductive material can extend completely
over the conductive contacts. Additionally, a different conductive
material can be used to form each electrical connection or one or
more electrical connections. For example, the conductive material
1014 can by of a different type than the other conductive materials
1000, 1008, and 1020. A different insulating material can also be
used to isolate one or more electrical connections.
[0072] The electrical connections formed in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 10 can also be appropriate when only one contact is near an
edge of the substrate and the other conductive contacts are
positioned closer and closer to the middle of the substrate 900. By
way of example only, conductive contact 1002 (or conductive
contacts 902, 1002) can be near an edge of the substrate 900 and
the other conductive contacts 1010, 1016, 1022 (or 904, 906, 908)
can be positioned closer and closer to the middle of the substrate
900.
[0073] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section view of another example
of electrical connections along line 11-11 for the embodiment shown
in FIG. 9. Only conductive contacts 902, 904, and 906 are shown in
FIG. 11 for simplicity. Conductive material 1000 electrically
connects the conductive contact 902 on the front surface 910 of the
substrate 900 to the conductive contact 1002 on the back surface
1004 of the substrate 900. Insulating material 1006 surrounds the
conductive material 1000 to electrically isolate the electrical
connection between the front and back conductive contacts 902,
1002.
[0074] Conductive material 1100 electrically connects the
conductive contact 904 on the front surface 910 of the substrate
900 to a conductive contact 1102 on a back surface 1104 of another
substrate 1106. The substrate 1106 is disposed below the substrate
900. Insulating material 1108 surrounds the conductive material
1100 to electrically isolate the electrical connection between the
front and back conductive contacts 904, 1102.
[0075] Conductive material 1110 electrically connects the
conductive contact 906 on the front surface 910 of the substrate
900 to a conductive contact 1112 on a back surface 1114 of a
substrate 1116. The substrate 1116 is disposed below the substrate
1106. Insulating material 1118 surrounds the conductive material
1110 to electrically isolate the electrical connection between the
front and back conductive contacts 906, 1112.
[0076] The conductive contact 908 (not shown) can be electrically
connected to a conductive contact on the back surface 1114 of the
substrate 1116, or to a conductive contact on another substrate
(not shown) that is disposed below the substrate 1116. The
electrical connections formed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11
can also be appropriate when one or more conductive contacts are
positioned differently over a substrate. As discussed, the
conductive contact 908 can be electrically connected to a
conductive contact positioned closer to the middle of the substrate
1116 or to a conductive contact positioned near an edge on a
separate substrate disposed below the substrate 1116.
[0077] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown a top view of an
example of conductive contacts on a substrate in an embodiment. The
substrate 1200 can be made of any suitable material or combination
of materials including, but not limited to, glass, plastic, and
flexible cable. Conductive contacts 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208 are
disposed over the front surface 1210 of the substrate 1200. A
flexible cable 1212 is connected to the conductive contact 1206.
The conductive contact 1206 can be implemented, for example, as a
cable connector or a conductive contact pad.
[0078] FIG. 13 depicts a cross-section view of an example of
electrical connections along line 13-13 for the embodiment shown in
FIG. 12. Conductive material 1300 electrically connects the
conductive contact 1202 on the front surface 1210 of the substrate
1200 to a conductive contact 1302 on a back surface 1304 of the
substrate 1200. Insulating material 1306 surrounds the conductive
material 1300 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 1202, 1302.
[0079] Conductive material 1308 electrically connects the
conductive contact 1204 on the front surface 1210 of the substrate
1200 to a conductive contact 1310 on the back surface 1304 of the
substrate 1200. Insulating material 1312 surrounds the conductive
material 1308 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 1204, 1310.
Insulating material 1312 also electrically isolates the electrical
connection between the flexible cable 1212 and the conductive
contact 1206.
[0080] Conductive material 1314 electrically connects the
conductive contact 1208 on the front surface 1210 of the substrate
1200 to a conductive contact 1316 on the back surface 1304 of the
substrate 1200. Insulating material 1318 surrounds the conductive
material 1314 to electrically isolate the electrical connection
between the front and back conductive contacts 1208, 1316. Outer
insulating material 1318 is optional and is not included in some
embodiments.
[0081] FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a substrate and electrical
connections in an embodiment. The substrate 1400 can be fabricated
in any shape or design. In the illustrated embodiment, the
substrate 1400 has trenches 1402, 1404, 1406. The trenches produce
substrate fingers or protrusions, and conductive contacts 1408,
1410, 1412, 1414 are disposed over the substrate fingers.
Conductive material 1416, 1418, 1420, 1422 is disposed over at
least a portion of a respective conductive contact.
[0082] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a substrate can
be fabricated in any given shape. Shaping the substrate can result
in an easier fabrication process for the conductive contacts or
electrical connections. By way of example only, if the substrate
fingers are dipped in a conductive material, the substrate fingers
can reduce the likelihood that conductive material will be formed
on the non-finger portion of the substrate.
[0083] Additionally, shaping the substrate can allow for different
conductive materials to be used to form one or more electrical
connections. The conductive contacts 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414 can be
electrically connected to conductive contacts on multiple
substrates or on a single substrate.
[0084] In some embodiments, a conductive layer, such as, for
example, the back transparent conductive layer 312 shown in FIGS. 3
and 5, can be implemented with a material, or combination of
materials, that has a higher than desired impedance. For example,
when the back transparent conductive layer 312 is formed with ITO,
the impedance across the surface of the back transparent conductive
layer 312 can be an issue when biasing the back transparent
conductive layer 312. The resistance to the center of the layer 312
generally is higher than the resistance at an edge of the back
transparent conductive layer 312, which can result in signal
non-uniformity across the surface of the layer 312.
[0085] FIG. 15 depicts one example of patterned conductive material
over a conductive layer in an embodiment. The patterned conductive
material can be used to improve signal transmission across the
surface of a conductive layer in certain embodiments. Additionally
or alternatively, the patterned conductive material can be used to
protect a touch-sensing circuit, element, or array of elements from
noise generated by an electronic device that incorporates the
touch-sensing technology. One example of a touch-sensing technology
is capacitive sensing. The capacitive sensing can be used, for
example, to detect one or more touches on a surface of an
electronic device, or to detect a force or amount of force applied
to a flexible surface in an electronic device.
[0086] The patterned conductive material can act as a ground plane,
shielding a touch-sensing circuit, element, or array of elements
from parasitic capacitances that may arise when a metal housing of
an electronic device incorporating the touch-sensing element(s)
deforms. The deformation may change a distance between the metal
housing and the touch-sensing element(s), which, in turn, may
create a parasitic capacitance at the element(s). The patterned
conductive material can shield the touch-sensing technology from
such parasitic capacitances.
[0087] Conductive material 1501 is patterned into conductive
borders 1500, 1502, 1504, 1506 that are disposed over a surface
1508 of the conductive layer 1510. The conductive layer 1510 can be
formed with any opaque or transparent conductive material or
combination of materials. The patterned conductive material can be
any type of opaque or transparent conductive material, including,
but not limited to, a metal such as silver, or nanoparticles. The
patterned conductive material can have a lower resistivity than the
resistivity of the conductive layer, and the patterned conductive
material may be used to lower the sheet resistance of the
conductive layer.
[0088] The conductive borders 1500, 1502, 1504, 1506 are disposed
around the perimeter edges of the conductive layer 1510 in the
illustrated embodiment. Other embodiments can include only one
conductive border or two or more conductive borders. A conductive
border or borders can be formed prior to forming the conductive
layer 1510. Alternatively, a conductive border or borders can be
formed after the formation of the conductive layer 1510.
[0089] The conductive borders 1500, 1502, 1504, 1506 cooperate to
form a conductive frame around the perimeter edges of the
conductive layer 1510 in the illustrated embodiment. The conductive
frame transmits a signal around the perimeter edges to improve
signal uniformity across the surface of the conductive layer 1510.
By way of example only, the conductive layer 1510 can be the back
transparent conductive layer 312 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. As
described earlier, the patterned conductive material, depicted as
conductive borders, can at least be used to lower the sheet
resistance of the back transparent conductive layer 312.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown another example of
patterned conductive material over a conductive layer in an
embodiment. The conductive material 1601 is patterned into corner
sections 1600, 1602. The corner sections 1600, 1602 are disposed
over a surface 1604 of the conductive layer 1606. Each corner
section 1600, 1602 extends partially along two perimeter edges of
the conductive layer 1606. The sides of the corner sections 1600,
1602 can have the same dimensions (length, width, and thickness),
or one or more sides can have different dimension (length, width,
and/or thickness) from another side. Additionally or alternatively,
the corner sections 1600, 1602 can be made of the same material or
combination of materials, or one corner section can be made of a
different material(s) than the other corner section. Likewise, one
or more sides can be made of a different material(s) than another
side.
[0091] FIG. 17 illustrates another example of patterned conductive
material over a conductive layer in an embodiment. Conductive
material 1701 is patterned into conductive segments 1700, 1702. In
the illustrated embodiment, some of the conductive segments 1700
have a first dimension while other conductive segments 1702 have a
different second dimension. The conductive segments are fragmented
in that each segment is not part of one continuous segment over the
conductive layer 1706.
[0092] Embodiments can form the patterned conductive material at
any location over a conductive layer. The patterned conductive
material can be patterned into any given shape, width, length, or
thickness. The shapes can be continuous or fragmented. When
fragmented, each conductive segment can be made of the same
conductive material(s) or one or more segments can be made of a
different conductive material or materials.
[0093] The patterned conductive material can be formed over a layer
using any suitable fabrication method. By way of example only, the
patterned conductive material can be deposited over a surface of a
layer. The patterned conductive material can be deposited using,
for example, photolithography, screen printing, or inkjet printing.
A mask can be used to mask off areas where the patterned conductive
material is not to be formed. The patterned conductive material can
be used with one or more electrical connections formed between two
conductive contacts using a conductive material (e.g., see FIGS. 3,
5, 10, and 11).
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 18, there is shown one example of a
conductive layer with patterned conductive material in an
embodiment. Conductive material 1801 is patterned into conductive
segments 1800, 1802, 1804, 1806. The segments are disposed over a
surface 1808 of a conductive layer 1810. FIG. 19 illustrates a
cross-section view of one example of electrical connections to the
conductive layer 1810 in an embodiment. A substrate 1900 is
disposed over the conductive layer 1810. The substrate 1900 can be
any suitable type of substrate, including, but not limited to,
glass. Two conductive contacts 1902, 1904 are disposed over a first
surface of the substrate 1900 and two conductive contacts 1906,
1908 are disposed over a second surface of the substrate 1900. In
the illustrated embodiment, the second surface of the substrate
opposes the first surface of the substrate.
[0095] Conductive material 1910 electrically connects the
conductive contact 1902 to the conductive contact 1906. Likewise,
conductive material 1912 electrically connects the conductive
contact 1904 to the conductive contact 1908. An electrical
connector 1914 electrically connects the conductive contact 1906 to
the conductive layer 1810, and an electrical connector 1916
electrically connects the conductive contact 1908 to the conductive
layer 1810. In an alternate embodiment, one or more electrical
connectors can connect to the patterned conductive material (e.g.,
1800, 1804).
[0096] FIG. 20 depicts a cross-section view of another example of
electrical connections to a conductive layer in an embodiment.
Patterned conductive material (e.g., 1800, 1804) is disposed over a
surface of a substrate 1900. The substrate 1900 can be any suitable
type of substrate, including, but not limited to, glass.
[0097] A conductive layer 2000 is disposed over the surface of the
substrate 1900 and between and/or around the patterned conductive
material (e.g., 1800, 1804). The conductive layer 2000 can also be
disposed over some or all of the patterned conductive material
(e.g., 1800, 1804). The conductive layer 2000 and the patterned
conductive material (e.g., 1800, 1804) can be made of any suitable
conductive material or combination of materials.
[0098] Two conductive contacts 1902, 1904 are disposed over a first
surface of the substrate 1900 and two conductive contacts 1906,
1908 are disposed over a second surface of the substrate 1900. In
the illustrated embodiment, the second surface of the substrate
opposes the first surface of the substrate.
[0099] Conductive material 1910 electrically connects the
conductive contact 1902 to the conductive contact 1906. Likewise,
conductive material 1912 electrically connects the conductive
contact 1904 to the conductive contact 1908. An electrical
connector 1914 electrically connects the conductive contact 1906 to
the conductive layer 2000 and/or to the patterned conductive
material (e.g., 1800). An electrical connector 1916 electrically
connects the conductive contact 1908 to the conductive layer 2000
and/or to the patterned conductive material (e.g., 1804).
[0100] Some embodiments can use multiple electrical connections to
bias the conductive layer and/or the patterned conductive material.
Additionally or alternatively, one electrical connection can be
used to transmit a signal to the conductive layer, and the signal
can be transmitted across the conductive layer using the conductive
properties of the conductive layer. With a fragmented patterned
conductive material, the fragments can effectively be connected in
series when using the conductive properties of the conductive layer
to transmit a signal across the conductive layer.
[0101] Referring now to FIG. 21, there is shown one example of the
substrate 1900 and the conductive layer 1810 shown in FIG. 19
connected to another layer in an embodiment. An adhesive layer 2100
can be used to connect layer 2102 to the conductive layer 1810 and
the patterned conductive material 1800, 1804. By way of example
only, the layer 2102 can be the back polarizer 314 in FIG. 3. The
adhesive layer 2100 can be formed in between and/or around the
patterned conductive material 1800, 1804. The adhesive layer 2100
can also extend over some or all of the patterned conductive
material 1800, 1804.
[0102] The thickness of a stack of layers can be a factor in some
embodiments. By way of example only, it can be desirable to
minimize the thickness of the display stack shown in FIG. 3 since
the display stack can be included in a handheld portable device
(e.g., a smart telephone). In these embodiments, the thickness of
the patterned conductive material 1800, 1804 can be determined or
limited by the thickness of the adhesive layer 2100. For example,
the thickness of the patterned conductive layer can be equal to, or
less than a certain percentage of the adhesive layer 2100. The
maximum thickness of the patterned conductive material can be, for
example, ten percent of the adhesive layer.
[0103] Additionally or alternatively, when the area that includes
the patterned conductive material 1800, 1804 is limited, the
patterned conductive material can be formed to be thicker to
maintain a given amount of resistivity. In these embodiments, the
adhesive layer 2100 may need to have sufficient stickiness or
viscoelastic properties to effectively bond the layer 2102 to the
conductive layer 1810 and the patterned conductive material 1800,
1804.
[0104] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of one example of a method for
forming an electrical connection or patterned conductive material
over a layer or a substrate in an embodiment. Initially, a
determination is made at block 2200 as to whether one or more masks
is needed prior to forming an electrical connection or connections
between conductive contacts, prior to forming patterned conductive
material over a substrate or over a layer, or prior to forming
insulating material over one or more conductive contacts or
patterned conductive material. The mask(s) can be used to mask off
previously formed components on, over, or in a substrate, or areas
of a surface or surfaces where an electrical connection, patterned
conductive material, or insulating material is not to be
formed.
[0105] If one or more masks are needed, the method passes to block
2202 where the mask or masks are formed over the surface or
surfaces of one or more substrates and/or layers. The mask can be
formed over the substrate(s) or layer(s) using any suitable
fabrication method. The mask can include masks that are known and
used in the art.
[0106] Next, as shown in block 2204, a determination is made as to
whether insulating material is to be formed on or over conductive
material, a substrate, and/or a layer. If insulating material is
not to be formed, the process continues at block 2206 where one or
more electrical connections and/or patterned conductive materials
are formed. The electrical connection(s) or patterned conductive
material can be formed, for example, by dipping the substrate or
layer in a conductive material. Alternatively, the patterned
conductive material or electrical connection(s) can be formed by
depositing conductive material on a surface or on a conductive
contact. Examples of conductive materials include, but are not
limited to, metal, organic materials, nanoparticles, or
combinations thereof. By way of example only, the electrical
connection(s) can be deposited using a chemical vapor deposition
process or a physical vapor deposition process, such as sputtering.
The patterned conductive material can be formed using any suitable
fabrication processing, including, but not limited to, a screen
printing process, photolithography, or an inkjet printing
process.
[0107] In some embodiments, the conductive material used to form an
electrical connection or the patterned conductive material may need
to be processed (e.g., cured) at a temperature that previously
formed components or attached layers can withstand. For example,
the curing process, as well as other processing steps, for the
conductive material 404 or the patterned conductive material 1501,
1601, 1701 can be performed at a temperature that one or more
layers, such as, for example, the substrate 310, can withstand.
[0108] If necessary, the mask or masks are removed (block 2208).
For example, if one or more masks were formed at block 2202, the
mask(s) can be removed. In some embodiments, however, the same mask
or masks can be used for multiple processing procedures.
[0109] Returning to block 2204, if insulating material is to be
formed, the process continues at block 2210 where the insulating
material is formed over the electrical connection and/or the
patterned conductive material using any suitable method. By way of
example only, the insulating material can be deposited over the
conductive material that forms the electrical connection or the
patterned conductive material.
[0110] If necessary, the mask or masks are removed (block 2212).
For example, if one or more masks were formed at block 2202, the
mask(s) can be removed. In some embodiments, however, the same mask
or masks can be used for multiple processing procedures.
[0111] As described earlier, electrical connections can be formed
between different conductive contacts on a single substrate,
between different conductive contacts on multiple substrates, or a
different type of electrical connection can be formed, such as, for
example, a connection using flexible cable. The patterned
conductive material can be disposed over a substrate and/or a
conductive layer.
[0112] In some embodiments, a layer is connected to a reference
voltage or signal to prevent or reduce noise or other signal
processing issues. For example, the back polarizer 314 in the
display stack shown in FIG. 3 can be connected to a reference
level, such as ground. FIG. 23 depicts one example of a ground
connection for the embodiment shown in FIG. 21. A conductive
adhesive layer 2300 can be used to connect the layer 2102 to a
conductive contact 2302 that is connected to ground. Alternatively,
the conductive adhesive layer 2300 can be connected to the
conductive layer 1810, and the conductive layer 1810 can be
connected to ground. The conductive adhesive can be opaque or
transparent, and can be made of any suitable material or materials.
One example of a conductive adhesive is a transparent or opaque
conductive carbon nanotube adhesive or film.
[0113] FIG. 24 illustrates another example of a ground connection
for the embodiment shown in FIG. 21. Conductive material 2400 can
connected the layer 2102 to a conductive contact 2402 that is
connected to ground. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive
material is formed over a surface of the layer 2102 and in between
the stack of layers and the conductive contact 2402. The conductive
material can be any type of conductive material or combination of
materials, including, but not limited to, a metal, a nanowire or
nanoparticles, or a conductive foam material. In some embodiments,
the layer 2102 may shrink or deform over time, so the conductive
material 2400 used can be made of a flexible material to compensate
for the shrinkage and/or deformation. By way of example only, in
some situations the back polarizer 314 in FIG. 3 can shrink over
time, so the conductive material used to connected the back
polarizer to ground can be made of a flexible material.
[0114] Referring now to FIG. 25, there is shown another example of
a ground connection for the embodiment shown in FIG. 21. A flexible
cable connector 2500 can be disposed over a surface of the
substrate 1900, and a flexible cable 2502 can be connected to the
cable connector 2500. The flexible cable 2502 can include a trace
or signal line that is connected to ground. An electrical connector
2504 can connect the trace or signal line to the layer 2102.
[0115] Various embodiments have been described in detail with
particular reference to certain features thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, the
embodiments described in conjunction with FIGS. 3-5 are not limited
to a display layer and a back transparent conductive layer.
Electrical connections between two conductive contacts having
contact surfaces that are oriented in different directions and
disposed over any substrate or substrates, including, but not
limited to, metal, plastic, glass, or printed circuit boards, can
use embodiments described herein. Additionally or alternatively,
embodiments can have or form an electrical connection between three
or more conductive contacts.
[0116] Even though specific embodiments have been described herein,
it should be noted that the application is not limited to these
embodiments. In particular, any features described with respect to
one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, where
compatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may
be exchanged, where compatible.
* * * * *